Each new Toastmaster is required to begin with an ice-breaking speech, a short talk about their life that serves as the new member's introduction to the club and a measure of their public speaking ability. Since the ice-breaking talk is about the partner's life, it's easy to deliver, which helps calm his nervousness during the first time in front of the lectern. Choosing which speech to use and how to structure it for maximum effect, however, is another story. This tutorial will guide you through the ideation-creation phase, the organization and preparation phases and then the final one of giving the speech in public.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Ideas for Your Icebreaker Talk
Step 1. Make a chronological account of your life
Start at any time you want, then lay out the highlights of your life in chronological order up until the moment you became a Toastmasters member.
Step 2. Try a topic approach
Instead of exposing the key events in your life in chronological order, try to sort them in another way. For example, you could talk about the best moments in your life, the places you've lived, the jobs you've done, or the funniest things that have happened to you.
Step 3. Show a common thread that runs throughout your life
For example, if you are a veterinarian, you might talk about your first pet, the first job you took care of animals in, your decision to become a veterinarian, your current practice, and the pets you have now.
Step 4. Focus on a key event that defines you
If you are a surgeon, you may want to talk about your most difficult case and how it led you to experiment with a new technique. If you're a war veteran, you might want to talk about being in a fight and how it changed you.
Step 5. Explain why you joined Toastmasters
If something specific made you want to improve your public speaking skills, talk about it.
Method 2 of 4: Organize Your Icebreaker Talk
Step 1. Start with an introduction
You will inform the public about your name, what you do for a living, and other basic information. Many nervous speakers forget to mention their name, so remember to write it down in your notes.
Do you know that a laugh can reduce nervousness? If you are very nervous talking in front of others, incorporate a line at the beginning of your speech. Hearing others laugh should ease your discomfort a little
Step 2. Write 3 to 5 paragraphs about your life in any order you prefer
Remember that an icebreaker speech is 4 to 6 minutes long, so the number of paragraphs you write will depend on how long it will take to connect each event.
Step 3. End with a conclusion
You can talk about what you want to do, where you want to be in a year or just say how happy you are to have joined the Toastmasters club.
Method 3 of 4: Prepare for Your Icebreaker Talk
Step 1. Double check your notes
Make sure you haven't left out something important and you haven't forgotten to remove something.
Step 2. Practice giving your icebreaker speech at home
It is preferable that there is someone who keeps an eye on the time (4-6 minutes). This person may also listen for superfluous words, such as "that is," "so," and "er," although you don't have to worry too much about those words for this speech.
Step 3. Feel free to review your notes, remembering to approximate the time interval of 4-6 minutes
Method 4 of 4: Give Your Icebreaker Speech
Step 1. Relax
This is your first surgery and others don't expect you to be incredibly great. Calm down and don't worry too much.
Step 2. Speak loud and clear, with self-confidence.
If you are using notes, try not to look at them too much, rather look at Toastmasters members often.
Step 3. End the talk with an enthusiastic air after you are done with your notes
Well done!
Advice
- Remember that an icebreaker is not strictly formal. Other Toastmasters want to know something about you and you can't express yourself (and your personality) through solemn speech. Sure, it should be formal, but not too formal.
- Don't work too hard to deliver a really good icebreaker speech. Allow yourself to make all your usual mistakes so other members can help you improve.
- Notes are neither necessary nor not recommended. If you need them, take them with you, otherwise don't.
